Predictive Phase Tracking In Wireless Power Delivery Environments

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described for receiving wireless power and providing wired power. In some embodiments, a predictive phase estimation apparatus comprises a transceiver module configured to receive a plurality of beaconing signals from a wireless client during a beacon cycle. The predictive phase estimation apparatus also comprises a phase compensation module configured to store the received plurality of beaconing signals, a phase predictor module is coupled to the transceiver module and configured to calculate predictive phases based on the received plurality of beaconing signals and based on beaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle, and a signal converter coupled to the transceiver module. The signal converter is configured to form transmission signals based on the predictive phases and supply the transmission signals to the transceiver module. The transceiver module also transmits the transmission signals for delivery of wireless power to the wireless client.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/444,979 titled “Predictive Phase Tracking InWireless Power Delivery Environments” filed on Feb. 28, 2017, which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates generally to the field ofwireless power transmission and reception processing and, morespecifically, to apparatus and techniques to predict phase tracking ofmoving clients.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices are powered by batteries. Rechargeable batteriesare often used to avoid the cost of replacing conventional dry-cellbatteries and to conserve precious resources. However, rechargingbatteries with conventional rechargeable battery chargers requiresaccess to an alternating current (AC) power outlet, which is sometimesnot available or not convenient. It would, therefore, be desirable toaccess battery recharging power for electronic devices wirelessly.

In the field of wireless charging, safe and reliable use within abusiness or home environment is of the utmost concern. To date, wirelesscharging has been limited to magnetic or inductive charging basedsolutions. Unfortunately, these solutions require a wireless powercharging transmission system and a receiver to be in relatively closeproximity to one another. Wireless power transmission at largerdistances requires more advanced mechanisms such as, for example,transmission via radio frequency (RF) signals, ultrasonic transmissions,laser powering, to name a few, each of which presents a number of uniquehurdles to commercial success.

The most viable systems to date utilize power transmission via RF.However, in the context of RF transmission within a residence,commercial building, or other habited environment, there are manyreasons to limit the RF exposure levels of the transmitted signals.Consequently, power delivery is constrained to relatively low powerlevels (typically on the order of milliwatts (mW)). Due to this lowenergy transfer rate, it is imperative that the system is efficient.

In a free-space wireless environment, radiation from an omnidirectionalradiator or antenna propagates as an expanding sphere. The power densityis reduced as the surface area of the sphere increases in the ratio of1/r², where r is the radius of the sphere. This type of radiator isoften referred to as isotropic, normally has an omnidirectionalradiation pattern, and it is usually referred to in antenna terms asdirectivity vs. gain (dBi—decibels over isotropic). If the intendedreceiver of the transmission is at a particular point relative to thetransmitting radiator, being able to direct the power toward an intendedreceiver means that more transmission power will be available at thereceiving system for a given distance than would have been the case ifthe power had been omnidirectional radiated. This concept of directivityis very important because it improves the system performance. A verysimple analog is seen in the use of a small lamp to provide light andthe effect of directing the light energy using a reflector or lens tomake a flashlight where the light energy is used to illuminate apreferred region at the expense of having little to no illuminationelsewhere.

Central to mechanisms for directionally focusing transmissions incharging-over-the-air (COTA) systems is the ability to receive wirelesstransmitted power and to either use the power immediately or to store itfor later use. There are many battery-powered devices having internalrechargeable batteries that rely on corded connections with powersources to operate or to receive charging power to replenish spentbattery energy. These legacy devices are not typically capable of beingretrofitted with COTA technology to eliminate the need for receivingrecharging power via attached cords.

Retro-directive array systems (or any wireless system that operatesbased of the reception, processing and transmission) typically rely onfrequent incoming signals in order to track moving clients. A reliablereception during the beaconing cycle is important for phasemeasurements, although such reliable reception is not always achievable.This can be due to substantial or partial blockage of signals, noise,in-band interference, and poor receptions in general.

Accordingly, a need exists for technology that overcomes the problemdemonstrated above. The examples provided herein of some prior orrelated systems and their associated limitations are intended to beillustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or priorsystems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon readingthe following Detailed Description.

OVERVIEW

In one example, a predictive phase estimation apparatus comprises atransceiver module configured to receive a plurality of beaconingsignals from a wireless client during a beacon cycle. The wirelessclient moves from a first position to a second position. The predictivephase estimation apparatus also comprises a phase compensation moduleconfigured to store the received plurality of beaconing signals, a phasepredictor module is coupled to the transceiver module and configured tocalculate predictive phases based on the received plurality of beaconingsignals and based on beaconing signals received from the wireless clientprior to the beacon cycle, and a signal converter coupled to thetransceiver module. The signal converter is configured to formtransmission signals based on the predictive phases and supply thetransmission signals to the transceiver module. The transceiver moduleis further configured to transmit the transmission signals for deliveryof wireless power to the wireless client.

In another example, a predictive phase estimation system comprises amaster bus controller (MBC) board that comprises a transceiverconfigured to receive a plurality of beaconing signals from a wirelessclient during a beacon cycle, a phase compensator configured to storethe received plurality of beaconing signals, and a phase predictorcoupled to the transceiver and configured to calculate predictive phasesbased on the received plurality of beaconing signals and based onbeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle. The MBC board also comprises a signal converter coupled to thetransceiver and configured to form transmission signals based on thepredictive phases and supply the transmission signals to thetransceiver. The transceiver is further configured to transmit thetransmission signals for delivery of wireless power to the wirelessclient.

In another example, a method of predictive phase estimation comprisesreceiving, by a transceiver, a plurality of beaconing signals from awireless client during a beacon cycle, storing the received plurality ofbeaconing signals, and calculating predictive phases based on thereceived plurality of beaconing signals and based on beaconing signalsreceived from the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle. The methodalso comprises forming transmission signals based on the predictivephases, supplying the transmission signals to the transceiver andtransmitting the transmission signals for delivery of wireless power tothe wireless client.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by wayof example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wireless powerdelivery environment illustrating a wireless power delivery process fromone or more wireless power transmission systems (WPTS) to variouswireless receiver devices within the wireless power delivery environmentin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a sequence diagram illustrating example operationsbetween a wireless power transmission system and a wireless powerreceiver client for commencing wireless power delivery in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of awireless power transmission system in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of awireless power receiver client in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict diagrams illustrating an example multipathwireless power delivery environment in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example propagated wavefront and thedetermination of an incident angle of the wavefront in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example minimum omnidirectionalwavefront angle detector in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example of controllerlogic for a predictive phase estimation system in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of predictive phaseestimation in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a transceiver phase shifting an energysignal to an antenna in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a transceiver detecting an energy signalfrom an antenna in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of arepresentative mobile device or tablet computer with one or morewireless power receiver clients in the form of a mobile (or smart) phoneor tablet computer device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in theexample form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions,for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known or conventional details are not described in orderto avoid obscuring the description. References to one or more of anembodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are,references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at leastone of the embodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but no other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatsame thing can be said in more than one way.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significanceto be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussedherein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one ormore synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use ofexamples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any termsdiscussed herein, is illustrative only, and is not intended to furtherlimit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplifiedterm. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodimentsgiven in this specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions, will control.

I. Wireless Power Transmission System Overview/Architecture

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wireless powerdelivery environment 100 illustrating wireless power delivery from oneor more wireless power transmission systems (WPTS) 101 a-101 n (alsoreferred to as “wireless power delivery systems”, “antenna arraysystems” and “wireless chargers”) to various wireless devices 102 a-102n within the wireless power delivery environment 100, according to someembodiments. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an example wirelesspower delivery environment 100 in which wireless power and/or data canbe delivered to available wireless devices 102 a-102 n having one ormore wireless power receiver clients 103 a-103 n (also referred toherein as “clients” and “wireless power receivers”) installed in thedevice. The wireless power receiver clients are configured to receiveand process wireless power from one or more wireless power transmissionsystems 101 a-101 n. Components of an example wireless power receiverclient 103 are shown and discussed in greater detail with reference toFIG. 4.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the wireless devices 102 a-102 ninclude mobile phone devices and a wireless game controller. However,the wireless devices 102 a-102 n can be any device or system that needspower and is capable of receiving wireless power via one or moreintegrated power receiver clients 103 a-103 n. As discussed herein, theone or more integrated power receiver clients receive and process powerfrom one or more wireless power transmission systems 101 a-101 n andprovide the power to the wireless devices 102 a-102 n (or internalbatteries of the wireless devices) for operation thereof.

Each wireless power transmission system 101 can include multipleantennas 104 a-104 n, e.g., an antenna array including hundreds orthousands of antennas, which are capable of delivering wireless power towireless devices 102. In some embodiments, the antennas areadaptively-phased radio frequency (RF) antennas. The wireless powertransmission system 101 is capable of determining the appropriate phaseswith which to deliver a coherent power transmission signal to the powerreceiver clients 103. The array is configured to emit a signal (e.g.,continuous wave or pulsed power transmission signal) from multipleantennas at a specific phase relative to each other. It is appreciatedthat use of the term “array” does not necessarily limit the antennaarray to any specific array structure. That is, the antenna array doesnot need to be structured in a specific “array” form or geometry.Furthermore, as used herein he term “array” or “array system” may beused to include related and peripheral circuitry for signal generation,reception and transmission, such as radios, digital logic and modems. Insome embodiments, the wireless power transmission system 101 can have anembedded Wi-Fi hub for data communications via one or more antennas ortransceivers.

The wireless devices 102 can include one or more receive power clients103. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, power delivery antennas104 a-104 n are shown. The power delivery antennas 104 a are configuredto provide delivery of wireless radio frequency power in the wirelesspower delivery environment. In some embodiments, one or more of thepower delivery antennas 104 a-104 n can alternatively or additionally beconfigured for data communications in addition to or in lieu of wirelesspower delivery. The one or more data communication antennas areconfigured to send data communications to and receive datacommunications from the power receiver clients 103 a-103 n and/or thewireless devices 102 a-102 n. In some embodiments, the datacommunication antennas can communicate via Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™,etc. Other data communication protocols are also possible.

Each power receiver client 103 a-103 n includes one or more antennas(not shown) for receiving signals from the wireless power transmissionsystems 101 a-101 n. Likewise, each wireless power transmission system101 a-101 n includes an antenna array having one or more antennas and/orsets of antennas capable of emitting continuous wave or discrete (pulse)signals at specific phases relative to each other. As discussed above,each of the wireless power transmission systems 101 a-101 n is capableof determining the appropriate phases for delivering the coherentsignals to the power receiver clients 102 a-102 n. For example, in someembodiments, coherent signals can be determined by computing the complexconjugate of a received beacon (or calibration) signal at each antennaof the array such that the coherent signal is phased for deliveringpower to the particular power receiver client that transmitted thebeacon (or calibration) signal.

Although not illustrated, each component of the environment, e.g.,wireless device, wireless power transmission system, etc., can includecontrol and synchronization mechanisms, e.g., a data communicationsynchronization module. The wireless power transmission systems 101a-101 n can be connected to a power source such as, for example, a poweroutlet or source connecting the wireless power transmission systems to astandard or primary alternating current (AC) power supply in a building.Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the wireless powertransmission systems 101 a-101 n can be powered by a battery or viaother mechanisms, e.g., solar cells, etc.

The power receiver clients 102 a-102 n and/or the wireless powertransmission systems 101 a-101 n are configured to operate in amultipath wireless power delivery environment. That is, the powerreceiver clients 102 a-102 n and the wireless power transmission systems101 a-101 n are configured to utilize reflective objects 106 such as,for example, walls or other RF reflective obstructions within range totransmit beacon (or calibration) signals and/or receive wireless powerand/or data within the wireless power delivery environment. Thereflective objects 106 can be utilized for multi-directional signalcommunication regardless of whether a blocking object is in the line ofsight between the wireless power transmission system and the powerreceiver client.

As described herein, each wireless device 102 a-102 n can be any systemand/or device, and/or any combination of devices/systems that canestablish a connection with another device, a server and/or othersystems within the example environment 100. In some embodiments, thewireless devices 102 a-102 n include displays or other outputfunctionalities to present data to a user and/or input functionalitiesto receive data from the user. By way of example, a wireless device 102can be, but is not limited to, a video game controller, a serverdesktop, a desktop computer, a computer cluster, a mobile computingdevice such as a notebook, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, amobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a Blackberry device, a Treo, and/oran iPhone, etc. By way of example and not limitation, the wirelessdevice 102 can also be any wearable device such as watches, necklaces,rings or even devices embedded on or within the user/client. Otherexamples of a wireless device 102 include, but are not limited to,safety sensors (e.g., fire or carbon monoxide), electric toothbrushes,electronic door lock/handles, electric light switch controller, electricshavers, etc.

Although not illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the wireless powertransmission system 101 and the power receiver clients 103 a-103 n caneach include a data communication module for communication via a datachannel. Alternatively, or additionally, the power receiver clients 103a-103 n can direct the wireless devices 102 a-102 n to communicate withthe wireless power transmission system via existing data communicationsmodules. In some embodiments the beacon signal, which is primarilyreferred to herein as a continuous waveform, can alternatively oradditionally take the form of a modulated signal.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram 200 illustrating example communicationoperations between a wireless power delivery system (e.g., WPTS 101) anda wireless power receiver client (e.g., wireless power receiver client103) for establishing wireless power delivery in a multipath wirelesspower delivery, according to an embodiment. Initially, communication isestablished between the wireless power transmission system 101 and thepower receiver client 103. The initial communication can be, forexample, a data communication link that is established via one or moreantennas 104 of the wireless power transmission system 101. Asdiscussed, in some embodiments, one or more of the antennas 104 a-104 ncan be data antennas, wireless power transmission antennas, ordual-purpose data/power antennas. Various information can be exchangedbetween the wireless power transmission system 101 and the wirelesspower receiver client 103 over this data communication channel. Forexample, wireless power signaling can be time sliced among variousclients in a wireless power delivery environment. In such cases, thewireless power transmission system 101 can send beacon scheduleinformation, e.g., Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle, power cycleinformation, etc., so that the wireless power receiver client 103 knowswhen to transmit (broadcast) its beacon signals and when to listen forpower, etc.

Continuing with the example of FIG. 2, the wireless power transmissionsystem 101 selects one or more wireless power receiver clients forreceiving power and sends the beacon schedule information to the selectpower receiver clients 103. The wireless power transmission system 101can also send power transmission scheduling information so that thepower receiver client 103 knows when to expect (e.g., a window of time)wireless power from the wireless power transmission system. The powerreceiver client 103 then generates a beacon (or calibration) signal andbroadcasts the beacon during an assigned beacon transmission window (ortime slice) indicated by the beacon schedule information, e.g., BeaconBeat Schedule (BBS) cycle. As discussed herein, the wireless powerreceiver client 103 include one or more antennas (or transceivers) whichhave a radiation and reception pattern in three-dimensional spaceproximate to the wireless device 102 in which the power receiver client103 is embedded.

The wireless power transmission system 101 receives the beacon from thepower receiver client 103 and detects and/or otherwise measures thephase (or direction) from which the beacon signal is received atmultiple antennas. The wireless power transmission system 101 thendelivers wireless power to the power receiver client 103 from themultiple antennas 103 based on the detected or measured phase (ordirection) of the received beacon at each of the corresponding antennas.In some embodiments, the wireless power transmission system 101determines the complex conjugate of the measured phase of the beacon anduses the complex conjugate to determine a transmit phase that configuresthe antennas for delivering and/or otherwise directing wireless power tothe power receiver client 103 via the same path over which the beaconsignal was received from the power receiver client 103.

In some embodiments, the wireless power transmission system 101 includesmany antennas; one or more of which are used to deliver power to thepower receiver client 103. The wireless power transmission system 101can detect and/or otherwise determine or measure phases at which thebeacon signals are received at each antenna. The large number ofantennas may result in different phases of the beacon signal beingreceived at each antenna of the wireless power transmission system 101.As discussed above, the wireless power transmission system 101 candetermine the complex conjugate of the beacon signals received at eachantenna. Using the complex conjugates, one or more antennas may emit asignal that takes into account the effects of the large number ofantennas in the wireless power transmission system 101. In other words,the wireless power transmission system 101 can emit a wireless powertransmission signal from the one or more antennas in such a way as tocreate an aggregate signal from the one or more of the antennas thatapproximately recreates the waveform of the beacon in the oppositedirection. Said another way, the wireless power transmission system 101can deliver wireless RF power to the client device via the same pathsover which the beacon signal is received at the wireless powertransmission system 101. These paths can utilize reflective objects 106within the environment. Additionally, the wireless power transmissionsignals can be simultaneously transmitted from the wireless powertransmission system 101 such that the wireless power transmissionsignals collectively match the antenna radiation and reception patternof the client device in a three-dimensional (3D) space proximate to theclient device.

As shown, the beacon (or calibration) signals can be periodicallytransmitted by power receiver clients 103 within the power deliveryenvironment according to, for example, the BBS, so that the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can maintain knowledge and/or otherwisetrack the location of the power receiver clients 103 in the wirelesspower delivery environment. The process of receiving beacon signals froma wireless power receiver client at the wireless power transmissionsystem and, in turn, responding with wireless power directed to thatparticular client is referred to herein as retro-directive wirelesspower delivery.

Furthermore, as discussed herein, wireless power can be delivered inpower cycles defined by power schedule information. A more detailedexample of the signaling required to commence wireless power delivery isdescribed now with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wirelesspower transmission system 300, in accordance with an embodiment. Asillustrated in the example of FIG. 3, the wireless charger 300 includesa master bus controller (MBC) board and multiple mezzanine boards thatcollectively comprise the antenna array. The MBC includes control logic310, an external data interface (I/F) 315, an external power interface(I/F) 320, a communication block 330 and proxy 340. The mezzanine (orantenna array boards 350) each include multiple antennas 360 a-360 n.Some or all of the components can be omitted in some embodiments.Additional components are also possible. For example, in someembodiments only one of communication block 330 or proxy 340 may beincluded.

The control logic 310 is configured to provide control and intelligenceto the array components. The control logic 310 may comprise one or moreprocessors, FPGAs, memory units, etc., and direct and control thevarious data and power communications. The communication block 330 candirect data communications on a data carrier frequency, such as the basesignal clock for clock synchronization. The data communications can beBluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, etc., including combinations or variationsthereof. Likewise, the proxy 340 can communicate with clients via datacommunications as discussed herein. The data communications can be, byway of example and not limitation, Bluetooth™ Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, etc.Other communication protocols are possible.

In some embodiments, the control logic 310 can also facilitate and/orotherwise enable data aggregation for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.In some embodiments, wireless power receiver clients can access, trackand/or otherwise obtain IoT information about the device in which thewireless power receiver client is embedded and provide that IoTinformation to the wireless power transmission system 300 over a dataconnection. This IoT information can be provided via an external datainterface 315 to a central or cloud-based system (not shown) where thedata can be aggregated, processed, etc. For example, the central orcloud based system can process the data to identify various trendsacross geographies, wireless power transmission systems, environments,devices, etc. In some embodiments, the aggregated data and or the trenddata can be used to improve operation of the devices via remote updates,etc. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the aggregateddata can be provided to third party data consumers. In this manner, thewireless power transmission system 300 acts as a Gateway or Enabler forthe IoTs. By way of example and not limitation, the IoT information caninclude capabilities of the device in which the wireless power receiverclient is embedded, usage information of the device, power levels of thedevice, information obtained by the device or the wireless powerreceiver client itself, e.g., via sensors, etc.

The external power interface 320 is configured to receive external powerand provide the power to various components. In some embodiments, theexternal power interface 320 may be configured to receive a standardexternal 24 Volt power supply. In other embodiments, the external powerinterface 320 can be, for example, 120/240 Volt AC mains to an embeddedDC power supply which sources the required 12/24/48 Volt DC to providethe power to various components. Alternatively, the external powerinterface could be a DC supply which sources the required 12/24/48 VoltsDC. Alternative configurations are also possible.

In operation, the master bus controller (MBC), which controls thewireless power transmission system 300, receives power from a powersource and is activated. The MBC then activates the proxy antennaelements on the wireless power transmission system and the proxy antennaelements enter a default “discovery” mode to identify available wirelessreceiver clients within range of the wireless power transmission system.When a client is found, the antenna elements on the wireless powertransmission system power on, enumerate, and (optionally) calibrate.

The MBC then generates beacon transmission scheduling information andpower transmission scheduling information during a scheduling process.The scheduling process includes selection of power receiver clients. Forexample, the MBC can select power receiver clients for powertransmission and generate a Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle and a PowerSchedule (PS) for the selected wireless power receiver clients. Asdiscussed herein, the power receiver clients can be selected based ontheir corresponding properties and/or requirements.

In some embodiments, the MBC can also identify and/or otherwise selectavailable clients that will have their status queried in the ClientQuery Table (CQT). Clients that are placed in the CQT are those on“standby”, e.g., not receiving a charge. The BBS and PS are calculatedbased on vital information about the clients such as, for example,battery status, current activity/usage, how much longer the client hasuntil it runs out of power, priority in terms of usage, etc.

The Proxy AE broadcasts the BBS to all clients. As discussed herein, theBBS indicates when each client should send a beacon. Likewise, the PSindicates when and to which clients the array should send power to andwhen clients should listen for wireless power. Each client startsbroadcasting its beacon and receiving power from the array per the BBSand PS. The Proxy can concurrently query the Client Query Table to checkthe status of other available clients. In some embodiments, a client canonly exist in the BBS or the CQT (e.g., waitlist), but not in both. Theinformation collected in the previous step continuously and/orperiodically updates the BBS cycle and/or the PS.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wirelesspower receiver client, in accordance with some embodiments. Asillustrated in the example of FIG. 4, the receiver 400 includes controllogic 410, battery 420, an IoT control module 425, communication block430 and associated antenna 470, power meter 440, rectifier 450, acombiner 455, beacon signal generator 460, beacon coding unit 462 and anassociated antenna 480, and switch 465 connecting the rectifier 450 orthe beacon signal generator 460 to one or more associated antennas 490a-490 n. Some or all of the components can be omitted in someembodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless powerreceiver client does not include its own antennas but instead utilizesand/or otherwise shares one or more antennas (e.g., Wi-Fi antenna) ofthe wireless device in which the wireless power receiver client isembedded. Moreover, in some embodiments, the wireless power receiverclient may include a single antenna that provides data transmissionfunctionality as well as power/data reception functionality. Additionalcomponents are also possible.

A combiner 455 receives and combines the received power transmissionsignals from the power transmitter in the event that the receiver 400has more than one antenna. The combiner can be any combiner or dividercircuit that is configured to achieve isolation between the output portswhile maintaining a matched condition. For example, the combiner 455 canbe a Wilkinson Power Divider circuit. The rectifier 450 receives thecombined power transmission signal from the combiner 455, if present,which is fed through the power meter 440 to the battery 420 forcharging. In other embodiments, each antenna's power path can have itsown rectifier 450 and the DC power out of the rectifiers is combinedprior to feeding the power meter 440. The power meter 440 can measurethe received power signal strength and provides the control logic 410with this measurement.

Battery 420 can include protection circuitry and/or monitoringfunctions. Additionally, the battery 420 can include one or morefeatures, including, but not limited to, current limiting, temperatureprotection, over/under voltage alerts and protection, and coulombmonitoring.

The control logic 410 can receive the battery power level from thebattery 420 itself. The control logic 410 may also transmit/receive viathe communication block 430 a data signal on a data carrier frequency,such as the base signal clock for clock synchronization. The beaconsignal generator 460 generates the beacon signal, or calibration signal,transmits the beacon signal using either the antenna 480 or 490 afterthe beacon signal is encoded.

It may be noted that, although the battery 420 is shown as charged by,and providing power to, the receiver 400, the receiver may also receiveits power directly from the rectifier 450. This may be in addition tothe rectifier 450 providing charging current to the battery 420, or inlieu of providing charging. Also, it may be noted that the use ofmultiple antennas is one example of implementation and the structure maybe reduced to one shared antenna.

In some embodiments, the control logic 410 and/or the IoT control module425 can communicate with and/or otherwise derive IoT information fromthe device in which the wireless power receiver client 400 is embedded.Although not shown, in some embodiments, the wireless power receiverclient 400 can have one or more data connections (wired or wireless)with the device in which the wireless power receiver client 400 isembedded over which IoT information can be obtained. Alternatively, oradditionally, IoT information can be determined and/or inferred by thewireless power receiver client 400, e.g., via one or more sensors. Asdiscussed above, the IoT information can include, but is not limited to,information about the capabilities of the device in which the wirelesspower receiver client is embedded, usage information of the device inwhich the wireless power receiver client is embedded, power levels ofthe battery or batteries of the device in which the wireless powerreceiver client is embedded, and/or information obtained or inferred bythe device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded orthe wireless power receiver client itself, e.g., via sensors, etc.

In some embodiments, a client identifier (ID) module 415 stores a clientID that can uniquely identify the power receiver client in a wirelesspower delivery environment. For example, the ID can be transmitted toone or more wireless power transmission systems when communication isestablished. In some embodiments, power receiver clients may also beable to receive and identify other power receiver clients in a wirelesspower delivery environment based on the client ID.

An optional motion sensor 495 can detect motion and signal the controllogic 410 to act accordingly. For example, a device receiving power mayintegrate motion detection mechanisms such as accelerometers orequivalent mechanisms to detect motion. Once the device detects that itis in motion, it may be assumed that it is being handled by a user, andwould trigger a signal to the array to either to stop transmittingpower, or to lower the power transmitted to the device. In someembodiments, when a device is used in a moving environment like a car,train or plane, the power might only be transmitted intermittently or ata reduced level unless the device is critically low on power.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict diagrams illustrating an example multipathwireless power delivery environment 500, according to some embodiments.The multipath wireless power delivery environment 500 includes a useroperating a wireless device 502 including one or more wireless powerreceiver clients 503. The wireless device 502 and the one or morewireless power receiver clients 503 can be wireless device 102 of FIG. 1and wireless power receiver client 103 of FIG. 1 or wireless powerreceiver client 400 of FIG. 4, respectively, although alternativeconfigurations are possible. Likewise, wireless power transmissionsystem 501 can be wireless power transmission system 101 FIG. 1 orwireless power transmission system 300 of FIG. 3, although alternativeconfigurations are possible. The multipath wireless power deliveryenvironment 500 includes reflective objects 506 and various absorptiveobjects, e.g., users, or humans, furniture, etc.

Wireless device 502 includes one or more antennas (or transceivers) thathave a radiation and reception pattern 510 in three-dimensional spaceproximate to the wireless device 502. The one or more antennas (ortransceivers) can be wholly or partially included as part of thewireless device 502 and/or the wireless power receiver client (notshown). For example, in some embodiments one or more antennas, e.g.,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. of the wireless device 502 can be utilized and/orotherwise shared for wireless power reception. As shown in the exampleof FIGS. 5A and 5B, the radiation and reception pattern 510 comprises alobe pattern with a primary lobe and multiple side lobes. Other patternsare also possible.

The wireless device 502 transmits a beacon (or calibration) signal overmultiple paths to the wireless power transmission system 501. Asdiscussed herein, the wireless device 502 transmits the beacon in thedirection of the radiation and reception pattern 510 such that thestrength of the received beacon signal by the wireless powertransmission system, e.g., RSSI, depends on the radiation and receptionpattern 510. For example, beacon signals are not transmitted where thereare nulls in the radiation and reception pattern 510 and beacon signalsare the strongest at the peaks in the radiation and reception pattern510, e.g., peak of the primary lobe. As shown in the example of FIG. 5A,the wireless device 502 transmits beacon signals over five paths P₁-P₅.Paths P₄ and P₅ are blocked by reflective and/or absorptive object 506.The wireless power transmission system 501 receives beacon signals ofincreasing strengths via paths P₁-P₃. The bolder lines indicate strongersignals. In some embodiments the beacon signals are directionallytransmitted in this manner to, for example, avoid unnecessary RF energyexposure to the user.

A fundamental property of antennas is that the receiving pattern(sensitivity as a function of direction) of an antenna when used forreceiving is identical to the far-field radiation pattern of the antennawhen used for transmitting. This is a consequence of the reciprocitytheorem in electromagnetics. As shown in the example of FIGS. 5A and 5B,the radiation and reception pattern 510 is a three-dimensional lobeshape. However, the radiation and reception pattern 510 can be anynumber of shapes depending on the type or types, e.g., horn antennas,simple vertical antenna, etc. used in the antenna design. For example,the radiation and reception pattern 510 can comprise various directivepatterns. Any number of different antenna radiation and receptionpatterns are possible for each of multiple client devices in a wirelesspower delivery environment.

Referring again to FIG. 5A, the wireless power transmission system 501receives the beacon (or calibration) signal via multiple paths P₁-P₃ atmultiple antennas or transceivers. As shown, paths P₂ and P₃ are directline of sight paths while path P₁ is a non-line of sight path. Once thebeacon (or calibration) signal is received by the wireless powertransmission system 501, the power transmission system 501 processes thebeacon (or calibration) signal to determine one or more receivecharacteristics of the beacon signal at each of the multiple antennas.For example, among other operations, the wireless power transmissionsystem 501 can measure the phases at which the beacon signal is receivedat each of the multiple antennas or transceivers.

The wireless power transmission system 501 processes the one or morereceive characteristics of the beacon signal at each of the multipleantennas to determine or measure one or more wireless power transmitcharacteristics for each of the multiple RF transceivers based on theone or more receive characteristics of the beacon (or calibration)signal as measured at the corresponding antenna or transceiver. By wayof example and not limitation, the wireless power transmitcharacteristics can include phase settings for each antenna ortransceiver, transmission power settings, etc.

As discussed herein, the wireless power transmission system 501determines the wireless power transmit characteristics such that, oncethe antennas or transceivers are configured, the multiple antennas ortransceivers are operable to transmit a wireless power signal thatmatches the client radiation and reception pattern in thethree-dimensional space proximate to the client device. FIG. 5Billustrates the wireless power transmission system 501 transmittingwireless power via paths P₁-P₃ to the wireless device 502.Advantageously, as discussed herein, the wireless power signal matchesthe client radiation and reception pattern 510 in the three-dimensionalspace proximate to the client device. Said another way, the wirelesspower transmission system will transmit the wireless power signals inthe _(direction) in which the wireless power receiver has maximum gain,e.g., will receive the greater wireless power. As a result, no signalsare sent in directions in which the wireless power receiver cannotreceive it, e.g., nulls and blockages. In some embodiments, the wirelesspower transmission system 501 measures the RSSI of the received beaconsignal and if the beacon is less than a threshold value, the wirelesspower transmission system will not send wireless power over that path.

The three paths shown in the example of FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustratedfor simplicity, it is appreciated that any number of paths can beutilized for transmitting power to the wireless device 502 depending on,among other factors, reflective and absorptive objects in the wirelesspower delivery environment.

In retro-directive wireless power delivery environments, wireless powerreceivers generate and send beacon (or calibration) signals that arereceived by an array of antennas of a wireless power transmissionsystem. The beacon signals provide the charger with timing informationfor wireless power transfers, and also indicate directionality of theincoming signal. As discussed herein, this directionality information isemployed when transmitting in order to focus energy (e.g., power wavedelivery) on individual wireless power receiver clients. Additionally,directionality facilitates other applications such as, for example,tracking device movement.

In some embodiments, wireless power receiver clients in a wireless powerdelivery environment are tracked by a wireless power transmission systemusing a three dimensional angle of incidence of an RF signal (at anypolarity) paired with a distance determined by using an RF signalstrength or any other method. As discussed herein, an array of antennascapable of measuring phase (e.g., the wireless power transmission systemarray) can be used to detect a wavefront 510 angle of incidence. Adistance to the wireless power receiver client can be determined basedon the angle from multiple array segments. Alternatively, oradditionally, the distance to the wireless power receiver client can bedetermined based on power calculations.

In some embodiments, the degree of accuracy in determining the angle ofincidence of an RF signal depends on a size of the array of antennas, anumber of antennas, a number of phase steps, method of phase detection,accuracy of distance measurement method, RF noise level in environment,etc. In some embodiments, users may be asked to agree to a privacypolicy defined by an administrator for tracking their location andmovements within the environment. Furthermore, in some embodiments, thesystem can use the location information to modify the flow ofinformation between devices and optimize the environment. Additionally,the system can track historical wireless device location information anddevelop movement pattern information, profile information, andpreference information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example determination of an incidentangle of a wavefront, according to some embodiments. By way of exampleand not limitation, the incident angle of a wavefront can be determinedusing an array of transducers based on, for example, the received phasemeasurements of four antennas for omnidirectional detection, or threeantennas can be used for detecting the wavefront angle on onehemisphere. In these examples, the transmitting device (i.e., thewireless device) is assumed to be on a line coming from the center ofthe three or more antennas out to infinity. If at least two differentantennas are located a sufficient known distance away from thetransmitting device and are also used to determine incident wave angle,then the convergence of the two lines plotted from the phase-detectingantennas is the location of the device. In the example of FIG. 6,

${\theta = {\sin^{- 1}( \frac{\lambda \; \Delta \; \varphi}{2\pi \; s} )}},$

where λ is the wavelength of the transmitted signal, and Δϕ is the phaseoffset in radians and s is the inter-element spacing of the receivingantennas.

If less than one wavelength of antennas spacing is used between twoantennas, an unambiguous two-dimensional (2D) wavefront angle can bedetermined for a hemisphere. If three antennas are used, an unambiguousthree-dimensional (3D) angle can be determined for a hemisphere. In someembodiments, if a specified number of antennas, e.g., four antennas areused, an unambiguous 3D angle can be determined for a sphere. Forexample, in one implementation, 0.25 to 0.75 wavelength spacing betweenantennas can be used. However, other antenna spacing and parameters maybe used. The antennas described above are omnidirectional antennas whicheach cover all polarities. In some embodiments, in order to provideomnidirectional coverage at every polarity, more antennas may be neededdepending on the antenna type/shape/orientation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example minimum omnidirectionalwavefront angle detector, according to some embodiments. As discussedabove, the distance to the transmitter can be calculated based onreceived power compared to a known power (e.g., the power used totransmit), or utilizing other distance determination techniques. Thedistance to the transmitting device can be combined with an angledetermined from the above-described process to determine devicelocation. In addition, or alternatively, the distance to thetransmitting device can be measured by any other means, includingmeasuring the difference in signal strength between sent and receivedsignals, sonar, timing of signals, etc.

When determining angles of incidence, a number of calculations must beperformed in order to determine receiver directionality. The receiverdirectionality (e.g., the direction from which the beacon signal isreceived) can comprise a phase of the signal as measured at each ofmultiple antennas of an array. In an array with multiple hundreds, oreven thousands, or antenna elements, these calculations may becomeburdensome or take longer to compute than desirable. In order to addressand reduce the burden of sampling a single beacon across multipleantenna elements and determining directionality of the wave, a method isproposed that leverages previously calculated values to simplify somereceiver sampling events.

Additionally, in some cases it is extremely beneficial to determine if areceiver within the charging environment, or some other element of theenvironment, is moving or otherwise transitory. Thus, rather than theabove attempt to determine actual or exact location, the utilization ofpre-calculated values may be employed to identify object movement withinthe environment. Each antenna unit automatically and autonomouslycalculates the phase of the incoming beacon. The antennas (or arepresentative subset of antennas) then report the detected (or measuredphases up to the master controller for analysis). To detect movement,the master controller monitors the detected phases over time, lookingfor a variance to sample for each antenna.

II. Phase Tracking System

As discussed above, in retro-directive wireless power deliveryenvironments, wireless power receivers generate and send beacon signalsthat are received by an array of antennas of a wireless powertransmission system. The beacon signals provide the charger with timinginformation for wireless power transfers, and also indicatedirectionality of the incoming signal. As discussed herein, thisdirectionality information is employed when transmitting in order tofocus energy (e.g., power wave delivery) on individual wireless powerreceiver clients.

To overcome unreliable phase measurements and poor receptions during thebeaconing cycles, FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram including an example ofcontroller logic for a predictive phase estimation system environment800 in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, a more detailedblock diagram of control logic 310 of FIG. 3 is shown for predictivephase estimation system 800. Also referring to FIG. 9, a flow diagram isshown that illustrates a predictive phase estimation operation 900 in anexemplary implementation. The steps of the operation are indicated belowparenthetically.

A transceiver module 802 is coupled to antenna array boards 350 andconfigured to receive beacon signals (step 902) as measured by theantenna array boards 350 during the beaconing cycle. An example of thecontroller logic/circuitry of transceiver module 802 is discussed belowwith respect to FIGS. 10 and 11. Transceiver module 802 is coupled to aphase compensation module 804. Transceiver module 802 delivers measuredphases to the phase compensation module 804 as a local storage place tocollect the phases and buffer them for further processing (step 904).

In addition, transceiver module 802 is coupled to a phase predictormodule 806 configured to predict or estimate the phases of measuredsignals from moving clients (step 906). The phase prediction is usefulto tracking moving clients (or tracking the stationary clients while themultipath channel is varying) even in a scenario with poor signalreceptions during the beaconing cycle. The phase predictor module 806stores current and previously-measured phase data and estimates orpredicts predictive phases given the past behavior history of the phasedata. The implementation depends on the predicted motion model anddeviation of the measurements from this model. The prediction algorithmcan be heuristics or formal (e.g., Kalman Filter). The phase predictormodule 806 supplies the predictive phases to the phase compensationmodule 804 and to a predictive phase tracking module 808.

Phase compensation module 804 compares the predictive phases against theactual/measured phases supplied to the phase compensation module 804 bythe transceiver module 802. Errors between expected phases and actualphases are used as criteria for filtering out any outliers as well asimproving the reliability of the phase data given poor signalconditions. That is, each measured phase is compared against thepredicted phase, and errors are used to compensate/adjust or filter outthe outliers or improve the accuracy/reliability of resultant phasesbeing used during transmission (step 908). For example, phasecompensation module 804 may compare previously-predicted phases tomeasured phases to verify accuracy of predicted phases and may alter ormodify the phase estimation calculation accordingly. The resultantphases are supplied to a central processor unit (“CPU”) memory datatable 810 for storage (step 910).

Predictive phase tracking module 808 is configured to discern thepredictive phase tracking for the location of the client to determinewhether it has moved or whether it has remained stationary. Predictivephase tracking module 808 can thus determine (step 912) if a change isneeded in the phase response data predicted in module 806. The resultdetermined by predictive phase tracking module 808 is transmitted to CPUmemory data table 810 for updating and/or correcting the storedresultant phases.

The resultant phases or updated/corrected resultant phases are furtherdelivered to a signal converter 812 used to form signals fortransmitting wireless power to the respective client (step 914). Phasecompensation module 804 is also configured, if needed, to filter outun-reliable measurement signals and replace them with more reliable databased on previous measured phases or based on calculated phases. In thismanner, some embodiments of the invention improve the reliability of thewireless power transmission if the phase measurements are obtained inpoor/low quality/noisy signal reception conditions. The pasthistory/behavior of data is thus used to predict the future behaviors.The phases processed by signal converter 812 are supplied to transceivermodule 802 for transmitting wireless power signals (step 916) to theclient device as discussed above. Since the phases are predicted, thetransmitted signals are calculated to target the position of the clientwhere it is predicted to be, not the position that was measured duringthe beaconing cycle.

The phases can be predicted/interpolated in a batch using all datapoints/phases, or they can be predicted locally given a partial set ofavailable data. In the first approach (batch mode), phase data should becollected by a central processing block (CPU memory data table 810), soit requires collection of data among many data source (antennas 350). Inthe second approach, only a subset of data of less than all of the phasedata received by the antennas 350 is being utilized and there is no needfor global processing of data. The second approach offers a simpler andfaster processing time if there is a limitation in the bandwidth totransfer data to a centralized location.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an analog method for phase shifting thetransmitted RF energy signal going to the WPTS transmitter antenna forforming the beam to the desired steering angle of response to a receiverclient location. When the in phase and quadrature (I&Q) components ofthe received signal are processed and beam processing error (BPE)factors are applied by the signal processor, the phase shift bias isapplied and a conversion from digital to analog is sent to the upfrequency signal converter 812. The signal convertor 812 inputs thesignal to the transceiver module 802 through the state switch mode path(SW1, SW2, SW3) controlled by a CPU, amplified by a power amplifier 812and output to the antenna array 350 for beam forming and beam direction.

FIG. 11 depicts the opposite process of FIG. 10 in which the WPTStransmitter detects a signal from a client and receives the RF signalfor phase shift determination and response. The signal enters from theantenna array 350 and is routed while in the receive mode from theantenna 350 to the transceiver circulator 814, low-noise amplifier(“LNA”) 816 and through the digital controlled mode select switches 818and the digital controlled phase shifter 820 to the phase predictormodule 806.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of arepresentative mobile device or tablet computer 1200 with a wirelesspower receiver or client in the form of a mobile (or smart) phone ortablet computer device, according to an embodiment. Various interfacesand modules are shown with reference to FIG. 12, however, the mobiledevice or tablet computer does not require all of modules or functionsfor performing the functionality described herein. It is appreciatedthat, in many embodiments, various components are not included and/ornecessary for operation of the category controller. For example,components such as GPS radios, cellular radios, and accelerometers maynot be included in the controllers to reduce costs and/or complexity.Additionally, components such as ZigBee radios and RFID transceivers,along with antennas, can populate the Printed Circuit Board.

The wireless power receiver client can be a power receiver client 103 ofFIG. 1, although alternative configurations are possible. Additionally,the wireless power receiver client can include one or more RF antennasfor reception of power and/or data signals from a power transmissionsystem, e.g., wireless power transmission system 101 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in theexample form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions,for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein such as predictive phase estimation operation 900, maybe executed.

In the example of FIG. 13, the computer system includes a processor,memory, non-volatile memory, and an interface device. Various commoncomponents (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity.The computer system 1300 is intended to illustrate a hardware device onwhich any of the components depicted in the example of FIG. 1 (and anyother components described in this specification) can be implemented.For example, the computer system can be any radiating object or antennaarray system. The computer system can be of any applicable known orconvenient type. The components of the computer system can be coupledtogether via a bus or through some other known or convenient device.

The processor may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such asan Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor. Oneof skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms“machine-readable (storage) medium” or “computer-readable (storage)medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor.

The memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. Thememory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random accessmemory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). Thememory can be local, remote, or distributed.

The bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and driveunit. The non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, amagnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), suchas a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or anotherform of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is oftenwritten, by a direct memory access process, into memory during executionof software in the computer 1300. The non-volatile storage can be local,remote, or distributed. The non-volatile memory is optional becausesystems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. Atypical computer system will usually include at least a processor,memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor.

Software is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the driveunit. Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to storethe entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understoodthat for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computerreadable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrativepurposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Evenwhen software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor willtypically make use of hardware registers to store values associated withthe software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed upexecution. As used herein, a software program is assumed to be stored atany known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardwareregisters) when the software program is referred to as “implemented in acomputer-readable medium”. A processor is considered to be “configuredto execute a program” when at least one value associated with theprogram is stored in a register readable by the processor.

The bus also couples the processor to the network interface device. Theinterface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. Itwill be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be consideredto be part of the computer system. The interface can include an analogmodem, ISDN modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellitetransmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), or other interfaces forcoupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface caninclude one or more input and/or output devices. The I/O devices caninclude, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse orother pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other inputand/or output devices, including a display device. The display devicecan include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube(CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known orconvenient display device. For simplicity, it is assumed thatcontrollers of any devices not depicted in the example of FIG. 13 residein the interface.

In operation, the computer system 1300 can be controlled by operatingsystem software that includes a file management system, such as a diskoperating system. One example of operating system software withassociated file management system software is the family of operatingsystems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.,and their associated file management systems. Another example ofoperating system software with its associated file management systemsoftware is the Linux operating system and its associated filemanagement system. The file management system is typically stored in thenon-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor toexecute the various acts required by the operating system to input andoutput data and to store data in the memory, including storing files onthe non-volatile memory and/or drive unit.

Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to adesired result. The operations are those requiring physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasonsof common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The requiredstructure for a variety of these systems will appear from thedescription below. In addition, the techniques are not described withreference to any particular programming language, and variousembodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programminglanguages.

In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone deviceor may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in a client-server network environment or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, aBlackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine.

While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium isshown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term“machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shouldbe taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encodingor carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of thepresently disclosed technique and innovation.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of thedisclosure, may be implemented as part of an operating system or aspecific application, component, program, object, module or sequence ofinstructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programstypically comprise one or more instructions set at various times invarious memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when readand executed by one or more processing units or processors in acomputer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elementsinvolving the various aspects of the disclosure.

Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fullyfunctioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that thedisclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machineor computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readablemedia, or computer-readable (storage) media include but are not limitedto recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memorydevices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, opticaldisks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital VersatileDisks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such asdigital and analog communication links.

Certain inventive aspects may be appreciated from the foregoingdisclosure, of which the following are various examples.

Example 1

A predictive phase estimation apparatus comprising: a transceiver moduleconfigured to receive a plurality of beaconing signals from a wirelessclient during a beacon cycle, the wireless client moving from a firstposition to a second position; a phase compensation module configured tostore the received plurality of beaconing signals; a phase predictormodule coupled to the transceiver module and configured to calculatepredictive phases based on the received plurality of beaconing signalsand based on beaconing signals received from the wireless client priorto the beacon cycle; a signal converter coupled to the transceivermodule and configured to: form transmission signals based on thepredictive phases; and supply the transmission signals to thetransceiver module; and wherein the transceiver module is furtherconfigured to transmit the transmission signals for delivery of wirelesspower to the wireless client.

Example 2

The predictive phase estimation apparatus of Example 1 wherein the phasecompensation module is further configured to calculate the predictivephases based on a phase estimation calculation.

Example 3

The predictive phase estimation apparatus of Examples 1-2 wherein thephase compensation module is further configured to: compare thepredictive phases to historical predicted phases to phases of thebeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle; and modify the phase estimation calculation based on thecomparison.

Example 4

The predictive phase estimation apparatus of Examples 1-3 wherein thephase compensation module is further configured to store the phases ofthe beaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to thebeacon cycle.

Example 5

The predictive phase estimation apparatus of Examples 1-4 furthercomprising an antenna array board comprising a plurality of antennasconfigured to receive the plurality of beaconing signals.

Example 6

The predictive phase estimation apparatus of Examples 1-5 wherein thephase predictor module, in being configured to calculate the predictivephases based on the received plurality of beaconing signals, isconfigured to calculate the predictive phases based on a subset of theplurality of beaconing signals received from less than all of theplurality of antennas.

Example 7

The predictive phase estimation apparatus of Examples 1-6 wherein thephase compensation module is further configured to substitute abeaconing signal of the received plurality of beaconing signals withdata based on at least one of the beaconing signals received from thewireless client prior to the beacon cycle.

Example 8

A predictive phase estimation system comprising: a master bus controller(MBC) board comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a pluralityof beaconing signals from a wireless client during a beacon cycle; aphase compensator configured to store the received plurality ofbeaconing signals; a phase predictor coupled to the transceiver andconfigured to calculate predictive phases based on the receivedplurality of beaconing signals and based on beaconing signals receivedfrom the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle; a signal convertercoupled to the transceiver and configured to: form transmission signalsbased on the predictive phases; and supply the transmission signals tothe transceiver; and wherein the transceiver is further configured totransmit the transmission signals for delivery of wireless power to thewireless client.

Example 9

The predictive phase estimation system of Example 8 wherein the phasecompensator is further configured to calculate the predictive phasesbased on a phase estimation calculation.

Example 10

The predictive phase estimation system of Examples 8-9 wherein the phasecompensator is further configured to: compare the predictive phases tohistorical predicted phases to phases of the beaconing signals receivedfrom the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle; and modify the phaseestimation calculation based on the comparison.

Example 11

The predictive phase estimation system of Examples 8-10 wherein thephase compensator is further configured to store the phases of thebeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle.

Example 12

The predictive phase estimation system of Examples 8-11 furthercomprising an antenna array board comprising a plurality of antennasconfigured to receive the plurality of beaconing signals.

Example 13

The predictive phase estimation system of Examples 8-12 wherein thephase predictor, in being configured to calculate the predictive phasesbased on the received plurality of beaconing signals, is configured tocalculate the predictive phases based on a subset of the plurality ofbeaconing signals received from less than all of the plurality ofantennas.

Example 14

The predictive phase estimation system of Examples 8-13 wherein thephase compensator is further configured to substitute a beaconing signalof the received plurality of beaconing signals with data based on atleast one of the beaconing signals received from the wireless clientprior to the beacon cycle.

Example 15

A method of predictive phase estimation comprising: receiving, by atransceiver, a plurality of beaconing signals from a wireless clientduring a beacon cycle; storing the received plurality of beaconingsignals; calculating predictive phases based on the received pluralityof beaconing signals and based on beaconing signals received from thewireless client prior to the beacon cycle; forming transmission signalsbased on the predictive phases; supplying the transmission signals tothe transceiver; and transmitting the transmission signals for deliveryof wireless power to the wireless client.

Example 16

The method of Example 15 further comprising calculating the predictivephases based on a phase estimation calculation.

Example 17

The method of Examples 15-16 further comprising: comparing thepredictive phases to historical predicted phases to phases of thebeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle; and modifying the phase estimation calculation based on thecomparison.

Example 18

The method of Examples 15-17 further comprising storing the phases ofthe beaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to thebeacon cycle.

Example 19

The method of Examples 15-18 further comprising receiving the pluralityof beaconing signals via an antenna array board comprising a pluralityof antennas.

Example 20

The method of Examples 15-19 wherein calculating the predictive phasesbased on the received plurality of beaconing signals comprisescalculating the predictive phases based on a subset of the plurality ofbeaconing signals received from less than all of the plurality ofantennas.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling ofconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall referto this application as a whole and not to any particular portions ofthis application. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretationsof the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, thedisclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Forexample, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order,alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employsystems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes orblocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/ormodified to provide alternatives or subcombinations. Each of theseprocesses or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways.Also, while processes or blocks are, at times, shown as being performedin a series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed inparallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any specificnumbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations mayemploy differing values or ranges.

The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, ifnecessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the variousreferences described above to provide yet further embodiments of thedisclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theteachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its implementation details, while still beingencompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure underthe claims.

While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of thedisclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only oneaspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as ameans-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied ina computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35U.S.C. § 112, ¶6 will begin with the words “means for”.) Accordingly,the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filingthe application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspectsof the disclosure.

The detailed description provided herein may be applied to othersystems, not necessarily only the system described above. The elementsand acts of the various examples described above can be combined toprovide further implementations of the invention. Some alternativeimplementations of the invention may include not only additionalelements to those implementations noted above, but also may includefewer elements. These and other changes can be made to the invention inlight of the above Detailed Description. While the above descriptiondefines certain examples of the invention, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its specific implementation, while still beingencompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific examplesdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A predictive phase estimation apparatuscomprising: a transceiver module configured to receive a plurality ofbeaconing signals from a wireless client during a beacon cycle, thewireless client moving from a first position to a second position; aphase compensation module configured to store the received plurality ofbeaconing signals; a phase predictor module coupled to the transceivermodule and configured to calculate predictive phases based on thereceived plurality of beaconing signals and based on beaconing signalsreceived from the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle; a signalconverter coupled to the transceiver module and configured to: formtransmission signals based on the predictive phases; and supply thetransmission signals to the transceiver module; and wherein thetransceiver module is further configured to transmit the transmissionsignals for delivery of wireless power to the wireless client.
 2. Thepredictive phase estimation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the phasecompensation module is further configured to calculate the predictivephases based on a phase estimation calculation.
 3. The predictive phaseestimation apparatus of claim 2 wherein the phase compensation module isfurther configured to: compare the predictive phases to historicalpredicted phases to phases of the beaconing signals received from thewireless client prior to the beacon cycle; and modify the phaseestimation calculation based on the comparison.
 4. The predictive phaseestimation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the phase compensation module isfurther configured to store the phases of the beaconing signals receivedfrom the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle.
 5. The predictivephase estimation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an antennaarray board comprising a plurality of antennas configured to receive theplurality of beaconing signals.
 6. The predictive phase estimationapparatus of claim 5 wherein the phase predictor module, in beingconfigured to calculate the predictive phases based on the receivedplurality of beaconing signals, is configured to calculate thepredictive phases based on a subset of the plurality of beaconingsignals received from less than all of the plurality of antennas.
 7. Thepredictive phase estimation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the phasecompensation module is further configured to substitute a beaconingsignal of the received plurality of beaconing signals with data based onat least one of the beaconing signals received from the wireless clientprior to the beacon cycle.
 8. A predictive phase estimation systemcomprising: a master bus controller (MBC) board comprising: atransceiver configured to receive a plurality of beaconing signals froma wireless client during a beacon cycle; a phase compensator configuredto store the received plurality of beaconing signals; a phase predictorcoupled to the transceiver and configured to calculate predictive phasesbased on the received plurality of beaconing signals and based onbeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle; a signal converter coupled to the transceiver and configured to:form transmission signals based on the predictive phases; and supply thetransmission signals to the transceiver; and wherein the transceiver isfurther configured to transmit the transmission signals for delivery ofwireless power to the wireless client.
 9. The predictive phaseestimation system of claim 8 wherein the phase compensator is furtherconfigured to calculate the predictive phases based on a phaseestimation calculation.
 10. The predictive phase estimation system ofclaim 9 wherein the phase compensator is further configured to: comparethe predictive phases to historical predicted phases to phases of thebeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle; and modify the phase estimation calculation based on thecomparison.
 11. The predictive phase estimation system of claim 10wherein the phase compensator is further configured to store the phasesof the beaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to thebeacon cycle.
 12. The predictive phase estimation system of claim 8further comprising an antenna array board comprising a plurality ofantennas configured to receive the plurality of beaconing signals. 13.The predictive phase estimation system of claim 12 wherein the phasepredictor, in being configured to calculate the predictive phases basedon the received plurality of beaconing signals, is configured tocalculate the predictive phases based on a subset of the plurality ofbeaconing signals received from less than all of the plurality ofantennas.
 14. The predictive phase estimation system of claim 8 whereinthe phase compensator is further configured to substitute a beaconingsignal of the received plurality of beaconing signals with data based onat least one of the beaconing signals received from the wireless clientprior to the beacon cycle.
 15. A method of predictive phase estimationcomprising: receiving, by a transceiver, a plurality of beaconingsignals from a wireless client during a beacon cycle; storing thereceived plurality of beaconing signals; calculating predictive phasesbased on the received plurality of beaconing signals and based onbeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle; forming transmission signals based on the predictive phases;supplying the transmission signals to the transceiver; and transmittingthe transmission signals for delivery of wireless power to the wirelessclient.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising calculating thepredictive phases based on a phase estimation calculation.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising: comparing the predictive phasesto historical predicted phases to phases of the beaconing signalsreceived from the wireless client prior to the beacon cycle; andmodifying the phase estimation calculation based on the comparison. 18.The method of claim 17 further comprising storing the phases of thebeaconing signals received from the wireless client prior to the beaconcycle.
 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving theplurality of beaconing signals via an antenna array board comprising aplurality of antennas.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein calculatingthe predictive phases based on the received plurality of beaconingsignals comprises calculating the predictive phases based on a subset ofthe plurality of beaconing signals received from less than all of theplurality of antennas.